Up north of Metro Manila, there are a handful of destinations that we have long associated with vacations.
There is Baguio and, most recently, Sagada. There's Subic and, for some, even Clark. La Union, Zambales, and Pangasinan rank most popular for beach activities, with Baler catching up. Ilocos is gradually rising, while Batanes is everyone’s dream destination.
But not the agricultural province of Nueva Ecija.
For our second issue, we spent a weekend in Cabanatuan City, the province's booming city, and visited sites in Nueva Ecija largely unknown to mainstream travelers.
Nueva Ecija proves to be a destination of many faces that has been long time
coming.
We began our trip in Cabanatuan City, dubbed the Tricycle Capital of
the Philippines but fondly called Cab by locals. Travelers would remember Cab
as where Gina Pareño made batutay
(sweet beef longaniza) at the romance comedy, Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (2007), but there is more to Cab’s menu than
batutay. Guided by our host, Microtel by Wyndham Cabanatuan, we tried Hapag Vicenticos’
Filipino spread, Bistro 360's panizza invention, Cakeland's cheese rolls and mamon, and Cabanatuan Meat Products’ sausages
that include the local beef longaniza. All of this as Cab's food and
hospitality industry grows with opening of more malls and hotels.
Cab's neighboring towns mustn't be missed either. In terms of food, several towns have become stopovers because of their carabao milk-based products – ice cream, pastillas, cheese, and similar products across Nueva Ecija.
Cab's neighboring towns mustn't be missed either. In terms of food, several towns have become stopovers because of their carabao milk-based products – ice cream, pastillas, cheese, and similar products across Nueva Ecija.
Attractions in Nueva Ecija are varied – a mix of natural, man-made, and
historic assets that are largely unknown up until now.
Before arriving in Nueva Ecija, the team has already read viral posts featuring the fast-rising adventure destination Minalungao National Park. One of Asia's largest reservoirs, Pantabangan, is also in Nueva Ecija, powering Luzon’s rice fields and electric grid amid a haunting history.
History buffs will love the first-hand account of Cely at the Martial
Law solitary confinement in Fort Magsaysay and a visit to Camp Pangatian, a
World War II site where the Hollywood movie Great
Raid (2005) was based.
Should you be available on weekdays or Friday, I suggest you also try
visiting the Philippine Carabao Center for an education about the unsung domestic
water buffalo and the Central Luzon State University to understand tilapia (and
try their tilapia ice cream as well).
This issue highlights the best of what could be experienced over the weekend, but we wouldn’t be surprised if you leave Nueva Ecija with more to share.
This issue highlights the best of what could be experienced over the weekend, but we wouldn’t be surprised if you leave Nueva Ecija with more to share.
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